Located smack dab in the center of Texas, Austin is about three hours south of Dallas; three hours northwest of Houston; and about 90 minutes northeast of San Antonio – depending on the infamous I-35 traffic, of course. Austin’s geographic location is in Central Texas, where the Colorado River crosses the Balcones Escarpment. This is the point that separates the Texas Hill Country from the state’s black-land prairies to the east. The escarpment is also responsible for crafting the city’s limestone cliff formations that define the breathtaking Hill Country surroundings.

Austin, Texas is both the state capital and the home of a million Mexican free-tailed bats that swoop out from below the Congress Avenue Bridge each night from March until mid-November. The “Live Music Capital of the World” is a funky blend of award-winning restaurants, mouth-watering barbecue, tattooed hipsters, an entrepreneurial mindset that’s palpable, world-class shopping, high technology, and so much more.

After all, Austin is like the elder kid in the family – the one who paved the way, so the rest of the siblings had it a bit easier – with a laid-back, take-it-or-leave-it kind of attitude that coordinates perfectly with its funky and fun culture. Perhaps that’s why so many celebrities – like Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, Robert Rodriguez, and others – make the move to Austin. There’s little chance that they’ll be bothered here because, to be honest, no one cares.

One look around at the spectacular Texas Hill Country views, and you won’t find flat or desolate here. With its creeks, steep terrain, a plethora of parks, and the Colorado River, those who visit Austin rarely believe they’re still in Texas. Instead, stunning panoramas, massive hills, wildflowers, and a temperate climate have earned Austin a reputation as one of the nation’s fittest cities.

Most Austinites relish an active lifestyle, and there’s plenty to do outside. Both visitors and residents are drawn to the stunning beauty where the Texas prairie meets the jaw-droppingly beautiful Hill Country. The Colorado River adds to that scenery – flowing through the heart of the city to create a series of lakes (via dams) that stretch for more than 100 miles. The crown jewel is right in the center. Named after Lady Bird Johnson (a beloved figure in Central Texas), Lady Bird Lake is one of the dammed portions of the Colorado River. Surrounded by the vast Zilker Park, Lady Bird Lake is the epicenter of outdoor activity in Austin – from paddle-boarding and kayaking to rowing and running trails.

Are you ready to seize the commercial real estate opportunities in the greater Austin, TX area? Reach out to Cook Commercial Real Estate today to get started.